Michael Scott Rawlings (born August 25, 1954) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 59th Mayor of Dallas, Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, he won the nonpartisan 2011 Dallas mayoral election defeating former Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle.[1][2][3][4][5] He was reelected in 2015 by defeating Dallas lawyer Marcos Ronquillo.
Mike Rawlings | |
|---|---|
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| 59th Mayor of Dallas | |
| In office June 27, 2011 – June 17, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Dwaine Caraway (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Eric Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Scott Rawlings August 25, 1954 Borger, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Micki Rawlings |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Boston College (BA) |
Rawlings served as CEO of Pizza Hut from 1997 to 2002 and was also a former chief executive of the Tracy-Locke ad agency.[6][7][8] In addition to his work in the city, Rawlings is also a prominent opponent of domestic violence, speaking at many events, including a Ring The Bell event at the United Nations[9] alongside actor Patrick Stewart.[10][11]
Rawlings garnered national attention during the Ebola outbreak, the July 7th, 2016, ambush on Dallas police officers, and a dispute over the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System.[12] On the question of Confederate Statue Removal, Rawlings stated in August 2017 that Confederate statues in Dallas city parks are "monuments of propaganda" and called for a task force to decide what should be done with them.[13] Rawlings pushed for the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue in a city park.[14]
At the 2018 Conference of Mayors, Rawlings, who was known as a supporter of the arts in Dallas, received the 2018 National Award for Local Arts from the United States Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts in Washington, DC.[15]
Electoral history
edit2011 Dallas mayoral election
editInitial Election
edit| Candidate | Vote number | Vote percentage[16] |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Rawlings | 28,424 | 40.86% |
| David Kunkle | 22,229 | 31.96% |
| Ron Natinsky | 17,430 | 25.06% |
| E. Edward Okpa, II | 1,474 | 2.12% |
Runoff Election
edit| Candidate | Vote number | Vote percentage[17] |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Rawlings | 31,088 | 55.80% |
| David Kunkle | 24,623 | 44.20% |
2015 Dallas mayoral election
edit| Candidate | Vote number | Vote percentage[18] |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Rawlings | 30,703 | 72.55% |
| Marcos Ronquillo | 11,384 | 26.90% |
| write-ins | 235 | 0.56% |
References
edit- ^ Austin, BJ (June 27, 2011). "Rawlings Sworn In As New Dallas Mayor". KERA (FM). Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
- ^ Novak, Daniel (June 18, 2011). "Mike Rawlings Wins Dallas Mayoral Election". KDAF. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ "ELECTIONS: Rawlings, Price cruise to victory; Hightower narrowly defeated in Arlington". Dallas Voice. June 18, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ Kofler, Shelley (June 19, 2011). "Voters Elect New Mayors, Decide Local Elections". KERA (FM). Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ Bush, Rudolph (June 18, 2011). "Mike Rawlings wins race for Dallas mayor". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ "Rawlings out, Hearl in as Pizza Hut president". Pizza Marketplace. November 21, 2002. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ Watson, Brad (May 12, 2011). "Dallas mayoral candidate Mike Rawlings". WFAA. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ Goldstein, Scott. "Rawlings keeps his own counsel — to chagrin of some on council". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ Variano, Dana (March 5, 2013). "Mayor Mike Rawlings | Ring The Bell". Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ Peele, Britton (May 30, 2013). "Mayor Mike Rawlings gets shout out from Patrick Stewart during Comicpalooza speech about domestic violence". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ Skye, Heather (May 29, 2013). "Patrick Stewart Gives Passionate Response to Question At Comicpalooza 2013". Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ^ "Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings to leave office after 8 years". AP NEWS. June 4, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Dallas Mayor: Confederate Statues 'Monuments Of Propaganda'". CBS News. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
- ^ "Controversial Robert E. Lee statue removed from Dallas has new home in Lajitas, TX". wfaa.com. September 21, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Mayor Mike Rawlings receives National Award for Local Arts Leadership - Dallas City News". www.dallascitynews.net. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com. 2011.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com. 2011.
- ^ "Results" (PDF). assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com. 2015.
External links
edit
- Appearances[permanent dead link] on C-SPAN programs